Furniture



June 28, 1960 c. A. STANGERT 2,942,924

FURNITURE Filed Oct. 28, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet l mjw IN VEN TOR.

geeifenitdkzzgwi' AITOEI EX June 28, 1960 c. A. STANGERT 2,942,924

FURNITURE Filed Oct. 28, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

BYZ 2 ATTORNEY June 28, 1960 c. A. STANGERT 2,942,924

FURNITURE Filed Oct. 28, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ATIURNEX United States Patent O This invention relates to furniture, and more particularly -to partition structures for use with desks, tables, and the like-to provide semi-private-compartments orofiices for various ofiice functions. Y

There are many ofiice functions, such as Purchasing, Sales, Interviewing, and the -like, which require; a v lesser de ee of rivac thanis afiorded-b acom letel engr p y y P y line2-2ofFig. 1, a

closed oflice formed-by permanent fioor-to-ceiling walls or partitions. For functions of this sort, partitions mount ed along the sides and rear of a desk can provide an adequate degree of privacy. Various partition installations for desks tables, counters and the like havebeen suggested heretofore, but such installations have been bulky and expensive. Also, they usually require permanentanchoring, and they invariably deface or mar'the articles of furniture to which they are applied.

, The primary object of myinvention is'toprovide an improved partition structure for'various articlesof furniture which will be free from the aforementioned'and other ditficulties inherent in partitionst'ructures known heretofore- More particularly, it is object of my invention to provide an improved partition structure which is suitable for use with such articles of furniture as desks, tables, benches, counters, and thelike to provide semi-private compartments or ofiices, and which can be applied to, and

removed from, such articles with great ease and in a minimum of time. 7

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved partition structure as aforesaid which is simple, yet very sturdy, in construction.

Still another object of-my invention is to provide an improved partition structure as above set forth which will not mar or deface the furniture to which it is applied. A further object of my invention is to provide an intproved partition structure of the'type indicated above which can be-installed readily even" by unskilled workmen.

It is also an object of my invention to provide an improved partition structnreas aforesaid which can be fabri- 'cated; and assembled easily,'which is inexpensive in cost, which is pleasing in appearance, and which is highly eflicient'in use. i I

- In accordance with one form of my invention, the struture comprises aplurality of substantially U-shaped clamps of spring steel or other resilient metal which can be slipped easily onto the overhanging marginal portions of the customary tops of desks, tables, etc. at spaced points therealong and held clamped thereonby the inherent resiliency of the clamps. Each clamp has an arm which rests on the desk or table top, these arms being arranged parallel to each other and at right anglesto the edges of said marginal portions. Secured to these arms, as by spot welding, 'is'a channel member or other suitable holder in which is mounted a partition of glass, plastic, wood, or any other suitable material. One such structure can be mounted along a side ofa desk, for example (either left or right),

and another along the rear edge thereof. This provides 2,942,924- Patented June 28, 1960 an L-shaped partition structure which affords a certain degree of semi-privacy. The proximate, vertical edges of the two partitions may be joined together by a suitable connecting device to give added strength and firmness to the structure, If desired, side partitions may be mount ed along both sides of the desk to provide a U-shaped structure which will give still greater privacy. However, if a number of desks provided with my improved partition structure are to be placed adjacent to each other, as in crowded areas, only the L-shaped structure need be used, and the desks can be disposed in various arrangements to afford the desired type and degree of privacy.

The novel features of my invention, both as to its organization andmanner of use, as well as additioinal objects and advantages thereofiwill be understood more readily from the following description, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of partition structure accordingto my. invention, the structure being shown applied to a desk (shown in phantom) by way of illustration,

Fig. 2'is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing a modified form of clamping device according to my invention,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, perspective, exploded view of one form of corner piece for connecting the proximate edge portions of a pair of cooperating partitions in accordance with my invention,

Fig. .5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 55 of Fig. l, and

Figs. 6 to 12, inclusive, are diagrammatic views illustrating various desk arrangements for desks equipped with partition structures according to my invention, the desks being variously arranged to provide difierent types and degrees of privacy to suit difierent requirements.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, there is shown a desk 1 which includes a top 3 having overhanging left and right marginal portions 5 and 7, respectively, a front overhanging marginal portion 9, and a rear overhanging marginal portion 11. Clamped to the marginal portion 5 in spaced relation to each other therealong are a pair of substantially U-shaped clamps 13. The clamps 13 may be made of spring steel bands or of other resilient material, suitably finished to provide a pleasing appearance. Three or more such clamps 13 may also be clamped to therear marginal portion 11 of the desk top.

Each clamp 13 has a relatively long arm 15 which engages and preferably lies flat against the upper surface of the top 3, a relatively short arm 17 which engages the lower surface of the top 3, and a connecting arm 19 which engages the side edge or the rear edge of the desk, as the case may be. The clamps 13 can be readily slipped onto the appropriate marginal portions, and they can be removed therefrom just as easily. No special tools are required for this. Because of the inherent resilience of the material of the clamps 13, the clamps will firmly grip or clamp the desk top once they are applied thereto. Preferably, the arm 17 has an inwardly turned end 21. By first applying each clamp at the end 21, it can be tilted easily into position by simply pivoting around this end. The inwardly turned end 21 also serves to slightly bite into the desk top and thus assure a firm grip of the clamp thereonv Secured to upper arms 15, as by spot welding, is a channel member or other suitable partition holder 23 of metal lined with strips 25' of felt or the like. The strips.

25 are of a length somewhat shorter than the desk marginal portions along which they are to be disposed, and they are perpendicular to the arms '15. T'nus, when the clamps 13 are mounted on, the desktop with their arms;

is provided an L-shaped partition structure;

' structures mounted thereon, as in'Fig'. 8.

substantiallynormal or perpendicular-tonne of the edges thereof, the channel: member 23 secured thereto will be disposed substantially parallel to such edge.

Mounted in each ch'annel 23' between the strips 25 thereof is a panelpartition27 of-glas'syplastic, wood, fiber board, or any. other suitable material; V The panels 27 are of a height to extend upwardly from. the desk top a distance suflic-ientto provide necessarypriva'cy, With one panel 27 disposed along one side of the desk (either the left or the right side, as desired) and the ther panel 27 disposed along the-rear-of the desk, there If a third panel is mounted along the otherside of thedesk; there is provided a U-shaped' partition structure which affords even greater privacy. f

To give added strength and firmness to the partition structure, the proximate, vertical, marginal"or e'd'geportions 27:: of the panels 27 are connected together by a vertically extending corner piece- 29. The connecting device 29 comprises a pair of cooperating outer and inner panel clamping members 31 and'33, respectively. The outer member 31 has seats 31a which engage the outer surfaces of the panel marginal portions-27a, and

a the inner member 33 has laterally extending eirns 33a which similarly engage the innensurfaces ofjthe panel marginal portions 27a, The outer member 31 is also formed with a channel 3S'inwhichth'e heads 36:of one or more internally threaded sleeves 37 are received. The inner rnernber 33 carries a corresponding; number of screws 39 which are threaded into thesleeves 37'. When the screws are tightened, the clamping members. 31 and 33. are drawn together to firmlycl'amp the panels 2.7 an d lockthein to each other.

such as that described heretofore, it is merely necessary' to slip the clamps 13 with attached channel members or partition holders 23 ontothe marginal portions of the into'the holders. 23, and'connectthe panels to. each other by means of the conne,cting;device29. To remove the L-shaped partition structures; Here, the two sets of end standard desks are arranged side to back so that the vertically disposed desks eifectively have partitions along both sides as well as the back, while the horizontally disposed desks have partitions only along the back and one side. However, by arranging four desks in pin-wheel? fashion, as in the center set of desks, all four will effectively have partitions along both sides and the back to provide a greater degree of privacy for all. Various other desk arrangements which are self-explanatory are shown in Figs. 11 and 12, and many other arrangements will, no doubt, readily suggest themselves.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that I have provided an improved partition structure which is simple in construction, which can be applied and removed easily, and which readily lends itself to efiicient use with many articles of furniture. Itis to be understood that the structure described above is only for the purpose of illustration. Hence, I desire. that the foregoing shall be'taken merely asexemplary and not in a limiting sense. V

'I claim as my invention:

1. A device for supporting a privacy affording partition on the top-of an article of furniture having .an overhanging marginal portion along an edge thereof, said device comprising atleast one; substantially U-shaped clamping member adapted to embrace said marginal portion, said 30 clamping member including a first arm adapted to rest on said topand a second arm having an inwardly directed free end adapted toiengage the lower surface of said marginal portion and about which said clamping member can be tilted for applying said clamping member to said marginal portion, saidclamping member being adapted to beretained on said marginal portion by the pressure of said first and second arms thereagainshand a channel member secured to said first arm in a position to overlie said first arm and also said marginal portion when said clamping member is applied to said marginal portion, said channel member being adapted to receive a partition therein of a height such as to afford a substantial degree of privacy for said top. 7

' 2."A device for supporting a'privacy atfording parti- V articieof furnitare, insert panels 27 of proper length partitionstnicture, thelreverse steps are followed. ln

. either: case, the operation can be performed easily inbut a few minutes and withouttheneed. for. any tools' except V V a conventional screw driver for the screws.3 9.

' In Fig. 3 is shown a'modificdformofclamp clamp '13 may be either resilient or not, as. deemQd-bcst.

Furniture provided with partition structures such as described above can be arranged in various ways toaifo'rd different degrees, of privacy. For example, two desks,

one with a left side and theother withj airight side 'partition structure, bothv L shapbd, can be. placed end-toend tojointly enclose the two desks atthe. sides and. rear, as shown'inFig, 6. In Fig. .7, two such deski arrangements 7 placed back to back are shown, A somewhat less private arrangement for four desks isprovided whenonly tw'o diagonally opposi'tedesks havethe L-shaped' thereon, in closelyradja'cent relation andwith a chair 49 I at the open'side'. QAnarrangement of-"this' sort is suitable for interviewing or for purchasing functions, for example.

.. T clamp hasan extension :43 whichengages theside 45 of the desk 1 to provide greater.;stab ility,.if desired, The

partition Fig. 9 shows an arrangement ofwfour separatedesks, 7 each with a right hand, L-sha'ped partition/structure i .beflheld thereon, agarns t said; edgeiby. the; nherent resiliencethereof; said clampingmembers each'includ ng tion on the top of anarticle of furniture having avertical wallbelow said top and an overhanging marginal portion along an edgeeof saidtop beyond said wall, saiddevice comprising atleast'one substantially ll-shaped clamping member adapted to embrace saidmarginal pgrtion, said clamping member including a first arm adapted to rest on said top and 'a second arm adapted to engage the ow s a e o s d m r n P on, s i second rm having'a downward extension adapted to engage said w ll; said clamp m mb r'b 'ing t t a utv the i nsime of said-seco d a m and." s d xt i Q h sa d iuncmrejis engaged. ith said m r na p ti ow r ac n ar. said edge ther of o app y g. sai lamp n member to saidmarginaPportion, said marginal portion being adapted to then .beretainedongsaid marginal portion on thetop of anarticleof furniture having an overhanging marginal portion, along-an edge thereof, said devicecomprising a plurality of substantially U -shaped, resilient clamping members adapted to embrace said marginal portion inspa'ced relation therealongand to a first arm adapted to rest on said top and a second arm having an inwardly directed free end adapted to engage the lower surface of said marginal portion and about which the respective said clamping members can be tilted for applying said clamping members to said marginal portion, and a channel member secured to each of said first arms in a position to overlie said first arms and also said marginal portion when said clamping members are applied to said marginal portion, said channel member being adapted to receive a partition therein of a height such as to afiord a substantial degree of privacy for said top.

4. A device for supporting a privacy affording partition on the top of an article of furniture having an overhanging marginal portion along an edge thereof, said device comprising a plurality of substantially U-shaped, resilient clamping members adapted to embrace said marginal portion in spaced relation therealong and to be held thereon against said edge by the inherent resilience thereof, said clamping members each including a first arm adapted to rest on said top and a second arm having an inwardly directed free end adapted to engage the lower surface of said marginal portion and about which the respective said clamping members can be tilted for applying said clamping members to said marginal portion, and a channel member secured to each of said first arms in a position to overlie said first arms and also said marginal portion when said clamping members are applied to said marginal portion, said channel member being adapted to receive a partition therein of a height such as to afford a substantial degree of privacy for said top, said clamping members and said channel member being so related that, when said first arms are disposed on said top substantially normal to said edge, said channel member will be disposed substantially parallel to said edge and will extend along substantially the entire length of said marginal portion.

5. A privacy afiording partition structure for an article of furniture having a top with an overhanging marginal portion along an edge thereof, said structure comprising a plurality of spaced, substantially U-shaped, resilient clamping members adapted to embrace said marginal portion at spaced points therealong and to be held thereon against said edge by the inherent resilience thereof, said clamping members each including a first arm adapted to rest on said top and a second arm having an inwardly directed free end adapted to engage the lower surface of said marginal portion and about which the respective said clamping members can be tilted for applying said clamping members to said marginal portion, a holding member secured to said first arms in a position to overlie said first arms and also said marginal portion when said clamping members are applied to said marginal portion, and a partition mounted in said holding member, said partition extending upwardly from said holding member a distance suificient to afford a substantial degree of privacy for said top.

6. A privacy affording partition structure for an article of furniture having a top with a first marginal portion along one edge thereof and a second marginal portion along a second edge thereof which is angularly related to said first edge and which meets said first edge at a corner of said article of furniture, said structure comprising a plurality of spaced, substantially U-shaped, resilient clamping members certain ones of which are adapted to embrace said first marginal portion at spaced points therealong and certain others of which are adapted 'to embrace said second marginal portion at spaced points along said second marginal portion, said clamping members being adapted to be held on said marginal portions against said respective edges by the inherent resilience thereof, said clamping members each including a first arm adapted to rest on said top and a second arm having an inwardly directed free end adapted to engage the lower surface of said marginal portion and about which the respective said clamping members can be tilted for applying said clamping members to, their respective said marginal portions, a first holding member secured to said first arms of said first named certain clamping members, a second holding member secured to said first arms of said certain other clamping members, said holding members and said channel members being so related that, when said clamping members are disposed along their respective marginal portions, said holding members will be disposed parallel to the respective ones of said edges, a first partition mounted on one of said holding members, and a second partition mounted on the other of said holding members, said partitions being so disposed in said holding members as to also substantially meet at said corner, and said partitions each being of a height to afford a substantial degree of privacy for said top.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 722,588 Kade Mar. 10, 1903 934,696 Rhoads Sept. 21, 1909 995,410 McClure June 13, 1911 1,277,319 Joice Aug. 27, 1918 2,168,911 Meyer Aug. 8, 1939 2,694,614 Dent Nov. 16, 1954 

